Value For MoneyCabin DesignEntertainmentFitness CenterFood QualityShip MaintenanceSpaStaff and Service

45244545

Ship was very clean and employees very helpful and efficient., June 14, 2013Reviewer: wd5fqx

Pros: Ship public areas, cabin and dining room were excellent

Cons: Entertainment was mediocre

Date of cruise: June 2, 2013

Departure port: Seattle

Region visited: Alaska

Cabin category: Balcony

Cabin number: 5035

Good for children: Yes

Check-in and check-out was the most efficient of any cruise line I have traveled on and was very rapid. All personnel was very friendly and efficient. Our dining room server was the best with a wonderful personality, excellent memory and was so kind and attentive to my 8-year-old grandson.

Really appreciated the HAL children's program and my grandson was very happy to spend time with other children his age. He loved swimming every day in the heated pool and playing ping pong on the deck.

Entertainment was disappointing but everything else was great.

Pat Woods saw things this way:

Value For MoneyCabin DesignEntertainmentFitness CenterFood QualityShip MaintenanceSpecialty RestaurantStaff and Service

54545555

We enjoyed our third HAL cruise and will return, August 18, 2012Reviewer: Pat Woods

Embarking in Seattle on a sunny Sunday, we saw Mt. Rainier from the ship’s stern pool. After attending the lifeboat drill and Catholic Mass, we enjoyed a five-course dinner with other guests from Los Angeles and Dallas.

After dinner, we listened to the Adagio Strings quartet play selections by Mozart, Bach and Schubert in the Explorer’s Café. Other guests played Bingo, watched a comedy show, gambled in the casino, sang along in the piano bar and danced.

A sea day highlight was Tracy Arm, a scenic fjord with steep granite walls carpeted in green Sitka spruce striped by long cascades of whitewater. Within a one-hour time span, we had rain, snow, hail and momentary sunshine.

Some guests watched the scenery indoors from the forward observation deck. We donned warm jackets to experience the glacier on an outdoor deck. During the brief hail storm we ducked into the Lido buffet for hot tea.

Fabulous food

We ate most meals in the bi-level Vista dining room. As You Wish dining enabled us to eat with pleasant, friendly people from around the U.S. and Canada.

The Pinnacle Grill ($10 lunch, $25 dinner) provides elegant china, stemware and linens for a romantic dinner for two or a special group celebration. Dinner at the Pinnacle Grill is table side food theater at its finest. Servers lace lobster bisque with aged cognac, flambé entrees and desserts such as Baked Alaska. Creative chefs go beyond simply preparing mouth-watering dishes. They create food artistry.

One night during each cruise, the Pinnacle Grill transforms into the legendary Le Cirque of New York City, ranked among the world’s best restaurants ($39 dinner, $59 dinner and wine pairing).

Built in 2003, the Oosterdam caters to a wide range of interests. To work off calories, we hit the fitness center and walked around the promenade deck.

Other guests took digital computer or cooking classes, attended art auctions, played trivia or cards, visited the spa, took afternoon tea and socialized in lounges. More active guests played basketball and volleyball.

Throughout the voyage, we heard few complaints from fellow passengers. As expected, outdoor temperatures in Alaska were cool in mid-May—ranging from the high 40s to low 60s.

You won't need a pricey wardrobe to experience Alaska's laid-back, friendly ambiance. Wear sturdy shoes and dress in removable layers. Dozens of ships ply Alaska waters between May and September. Details: www.hollandamrica.com or 1- 877-932-4259. End

Writer bio: Pat Woods is widely-published Arizona cruise writer.

Stats1 saw things this way:

Value For MoneyCabin DesignEntertainmentFitness CenterShip MaintenanceSpaStaff and Service

1212121

Our cabin was dirty on arrival and did not get any better, December 15, 2011Reviewer: Stats1

Pros: Casino was ok the the manager there was very helpful

Cons: Poor service, dirty, too many sales pitches and inconveniences

Date of cruise: December 4, 2019

Departure port: San Diego

Region visited: Mexico

Cabin category: Balcony

Cabin number: 5123

This was our 4th cruise, 1st with HA. Never again. Our luggage was ripped apart and they suggested it was the airline's fault. I informed them that the wheels worked fine when I wheeled it to their bus at the airport. They gave us $11.00 so our first day in port we had to shop for luggage and drag it back to the ship.The suitcase cost $120 and they did not offer/provide a taxi. A wasted day.

We needed a extension cord for my husbands CPAP machine and they were informed of this months ago. Although we boarded the ship at noon, this was not installed till 8 PM. They were also told ahead of time that my husband required a extra large housecoat. This arrived on Day 2 afternoon.

The cabin was dirty on arrival and even though we complained it was not cleaned until the last morning when I was on the deck resting and my husband on the bed. They wanted to wash (hose down) the deck and clean the room and were very insistent when we said "no we were resting". They were concerned that the ship had to be ready for the next cruise.

The "class" of cruising was not provided at all. I would rate this cruise with a 3 star motel. They reserved seating for staff next to the food line and we had to carry food to the front of the ship. On the final day they turned off the speakers in the cabins (to not disturb those not disembarking) so we could not hear our call to disembark unless we blocked our door open.

Many times we had to assist an elderly or disabled person (we are not young ourselves) as staff was not willing to help. Dress codes were non-existent, people came to meals on the Lido deck in housecoats!

Not at all pleased with this cruise.

stuttmr saw things this way:

Value For MoneyCabin DesignEntertainmentFitness CenterFood QualityShip MaintenanceSpecialty RestaurantStaff and Service

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Great experience; first time cruising on Holland America, December 16, 2010Reviewer: stuttmr

Pros: The food was excellent

Cons: The drinking glasses were too small

Date of cruise: December 4, 2010

Departure port: San Diego

Region visited: Mexico

Cabin category: Balcony

Cabin number: 5077

The cruise was excellent, first time cruising on HAL and first time cruising out of San Diego. Embarking and disembarking were the easiest we've ever had.

The cabin was very nice and room stewards were very helpful, in fact, everyone was very friendly and helpful. We have cruised other lines before but liked this the best so far, will definitely cruise on HAL again.

darosaali1 saw things this way:

Value For MoneyCabin DesignEntertainmentFitness CenterFood QualityShip MaintenanceSpaSpecialty RestaurantStaff and Service